Kendal Blust/KJZZ

José Maria Rosas in his office at the Sonoran Regulatory Council for Bacanora.

A traditional northern Mexican liquor received a new accreditation recently that will make it easier to sell in the U.S.

Bacanora has a 300 year history in Sonora, Mexico. It’s an alcoholic drink derived from agave, like Tequila and Mezcal.

José Maria Rosas is director of the Sonoran Regulatory Council for Bacanora. He said the new certification will protect the liquor from knockoffs.

“We have been waiting for this certification for 15 years.”

Bacanora can only be made from one type of agave found in Sonora. Rosas said many people in Arizona already know about bacanora.

“Bacanora right now is the new style of souvenirs when you visit Sonora.”

And he hopes that this will make it more popular.